Gagnon healthy, ready to kick off again for Central Michigan Chips

NICK KING | nking@mdn.netCentral Michigan University kicker Connor Gagnon walks to greet reporters Tuesday during media day at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

NICK KING | nking@mdn.netCentral Michigan University kicker Connor Gagnon walks to greet reporters Tuesday during media day at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

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NICK KING | nking@mdn.netCentral Michigan University kicker Connor Gagnon walks to greet reporters Tuesday during media day at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

NICK KING | nking@mdn.netCentral Michigan University kicker Connor Gagnon walks to greet reporters Tuesday during media day at Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant.

Photo: Nick King/Midland Daily News

Gagnon healthy, ready to kick off again for Central Michigan Chips

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MOUNT PLEASANT -- With his right leg healthy again, Midland's Connor Gagnon is ready to use his leg to help Central Michigan University have a strong football season.

CMU coach Dan Enos said at Tuesday's media day that Gagnon is again the front runner to kick off for the Chippewas. Gagnon, a redshirt junior from Midland High, did CMU's kickoffs last year until plantar fasciitis in his right foot sidelined him for the final five games.

"It was basically tendinitis in the bottom of my plant foot, which hurt my stabilization and my power, and I had no support on that foot," Gagnon said.

"He was doing a good job last year until his injury," said Enos, whose Chippewas open the season at home vs. Southeast Missouri State on Aug. 30 and then host Michigan State on Sept. 8. "So far this (preseason) camp, he's kicked the ball very well. He's got a very strong leg. His whole (focus) is just about being consistent, and thus far in camp he's been much more consistent."

Gagnon said he viewed the injury as a challenge he had to overcome.

"It was something that God put in my way, and I looked to Him to get me through that," he said. "It was frustrating to get hurt like that and I really wanted to help my team, but you never know what to expect, so I always look to God and He's always going to help me through it, no matter what."

The 6-foot-1, 191-pound Gagnon redshirted as a true freshman in 2009 and didn't see any action in 2010. Last year, he earned the kickoff job and played in seven games before the injury. He averaged 61.5 yards per kickoff over 26 kickoffs. Gagnon had seven touchbacks, all of which came in a 48-41 win over Northern Illinois on Oct. 1.

Enos is enthused about the power in Gagnon's leg, particularly now that the kickoff spot in college football was moved ahead 5 yards from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line this past offseason.

"With his leg strength, he's got the ability to kick that thing in the end zone," Enos said. "Again, it's just consistency with him, but he works extremely hard at it."

Gagnon, who's working on a business degree at CMU, said he's always looking for ways to improve his kicking.

"You try to get better each year," he said. "Even though I was able to start last year, I'm not satisfied. I can always get better. You just keep making changes here and there and always try to get better for your team."

As for the Chippewas, who have finished 3-9 each of the past two seasons, Gagnon said that his team has high expectations for this season.

"Our team goals are always the same every year: win the (Mid-American Conference) championship and win all the home games," he said. "The MAC championship is always No. 1 -- getting that ring, making some success in the program again, getting us started and back on the right foot."

And Gagnon added that any individual goals he has are subordinate to the team goals.

"I just want to be better," he said. "I just want to stay healthy for my team, and do whatever I can for my team. I'm a kickoff guy. That's my role, I understand my role, and I'm just going to do the best I can to help my team."